Lionel Richie hospitalized again after another reported heart-related episode, forcing the cancellation of three upcoming concerts on his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire and raising fresh questions about when the veteran singer will return to the stage.
According to TMZ, sources familiar with the situation said the 77-year-old singer is being treated for atrial fibrillation, commonly known as AFib, an irregular heart rhythm that can require medical treatment depending on the circumstances.
Richie is reportedly undergoing an AFib ablation, a minimally invasive procedure designed to address abnormal electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular rhythm. The latest reported hospitalisation comes while Richie is on his “Sing a Song All Night Long” tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
Three concerts have reportedly been cancelled as a result. The affected dates include a performance scheduled for Saturday in San Francisco, followed by shows in Chicago on September 30 and Columbus, Ohio, on October 2.
The latest episode would mark the third reported hospital visit for Richie in the space of three months.
His recent health problems have already disrupted the tour. In August, Richie reportedly went to a hospital in St. Louis after performing a concert and remained there for three days, including time in an intensive care unit while doctors carried out tests related to cardiac concerns. He was later discharged and returned home.
The singer had also been taken to hospital in June after becoming unwell during a concert in St. Paul.
During that performance, Richie reportedly told the audience that he felt “dizzy” and “strange” before bringing the show to an early end. Paramedics later transported him to hospital by ambulance.
The repeated health incidents have now resulted in another interruption to a tour that has brought Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire together for a series of performances. For fans who have already seen recent dates affected by his health, the latest cancellations add another period of uncertainty to the schedule.
Richie and his representatives have not publicly disclosed further details about his latest reported hospitalisation. There has also been no confirmed announcement about when he will be medically cleared to return to the stage.
For now, the immediate focus remains on his treatment as the singer recovers from another reported cardiac episode. Any decision about resuming the tour is expected to depend on his condition and medical advice.
